I am HAPPY to hear that Miss Pearl is doing great. I probably missed your follow up news about her because I was not on for a few days, got very choked up over the hatred thrown at President Obama; unflattering pictures of Mrs. Obama on the front pages week after week, and then to see the attacks on Sgt. Bergdahl has been overwhelming emotionally.

So much hatred flying just because this President is doing his job, turned off everything to detox from the hatred ways of the ugly souls that takes up space here on earth.

I remembered that you were answering a question when you had to run, and I was trying to see if you came back with a follow up but didn’t see anything.

Howdy-ish, Ms Chips! Glad to see you are no longer stranded in traffic. ;)
……………….

While watching the WWWeek video, it crossed my mind to wonder which, if any, of the possible 2016 Dem contenders was regularly following the President’s activities as closely as we do, whenever he travels abroad. THAT is the potential candidate who would be my main consideration for the successor role, especially if he/she brought other real accomplishments to the debate.

From the article Chambliss said “I mean, it was like they didn’t trust [Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)] and me’! On previous thread he said he would absolutely have leaked the info if he had known! I’m dizzy!!!!!!!!

And there you have it folks, why should the President waste his time on these people, the don’t listen, don’t want to listen, don’t care, never will care about anything than ‘under the table money’. A grandson, now is 20’s, when 2 years old said to grandpa and myself one day out of the blue, “I love you guys”, that is how I feel about every single one of you on TOD, all lurkers included.

I read on the previous thread that Brian Schweitzer was doing some oppo on Hillary during the Ed show.
What is Schweitzer’s game? First he was on Ed pushing HARD for PBO to Ok Keystone. NO Good.
Now he is dissing Hillary(fine with me)

Does Brian Schweitzer think he is a viable presidential candidate? The Populist alternative to Lady Walmart? Mindboggling, but what do I know…

They may both claim to be friends but ask yourself, Do friends step on other friends best moments intentionally?
Or is that what Enemies do?
I’m referring, of course, to the impending pregnancy announced with maximum press on the day the White House was celebrating 8 million ACA enrolees.
Friends like either Clinton a person doesn’t need enemies

That statement is not consistent with what has come out in her book. Also, that is just NOT how PBO works. Has anyone EVER heard him or anyone associated with him speak disparagingly about any person? He speaks about policies, but not people. Palin didn’t need any disparaging. She did it to herself.

Remember the lies in the 2008 campaign? She was important to the N. Ireland peace initiative and how she had to run under fire on the Tarmac to safety while dodging bullets in Bosnia. The latter one involved pulling in Chelsea to be part of ithe lie since she was with her on the trip. I thought upon seeing the photos revealing the young girls presenting them with flowers, “What Mother would encourage their kid to lie for them?” That to me shows a lack of integrity and so many other defective traits I do not want to see in our President.

She has probably discounted many of the President’s voters, and will allow herself to tie in with the teabaggers, just to get a vote. I surely do hope that a Democrat will emerge and be “willing” to take her on.

The VERY last person Palin supporters would vote for is Hillary Clinton – and EVERY democrat should have called Palin out because STUPID – not to mention the bad mouthing of the best President the US has ever had.

If this was a “hard choice”, if it ever happened, which I doubt, that is pretty pathetic. Even putting this incident in a book is what my mother would have called “tacky” which was her worst criticism. I would agree…..that was a purposeful cheap shot, and will not win over any new converts…….people like us.

I just don’t trust her, and neither does my husband, and he does not trust WJC. Frankly, I think she’d have us in at least two wars within her first two years. She wants to show she has cojones, like men. She reminds me much too much of Margaret Thatcher, who had to prove she was a big boy by starting the Falklands War.

The best indicator of future actions is using past actions as a measure of what is to come. PBO’s enemies are ready to believe whatever bad thing is said about him, but based on his actions he has not been disrespectful of his enemies. Policy based beliefs have bee joked about but not character assassinations. On the other hand though there were those type of old politic tactics used in the Clinton camp.

Lupita Nyong’o is set to reteam with Brad Pitt’s Plan B production company on the drama Americanah.
Plan B, which produced 12 Years a Slave, has acquired big-screen rights to the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie-penned novel and will produce alongside D2 Prods. and Potboiler Prods. (The Last King of Scotland, Generation Kill). Nyong’o will produce and star.
Americanah is the epic love story of young Nigerians, a romance that spans continents, visas, phone cards and breakups, while exploring the cruelties and the humor of both the modern immigrant experience and the difficulty of finding your way home. The novel was the winner of the 2013 National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction and was selected as one of the 10 best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review, the BBC and Newsday.

I do believe as Hopef. Someone ‘near and dear’ to one of the head honchos have to be taken down in a venue where they least expected violence. The rest of us don’t really matter, you see. Somewhat like that Kirk (?) fellow who only understood about government help when he became disabled. And didn’t *he* go right back to voting against help for others once *he* had gotten his help?

CarolMaeWY, you are not alone! “I like this guy” too! I was born after Truman became President. Although I vaguely remember Truman and IKE, I can say for certain that I have consciously lived under 10 Presidents. Without a doubt, President Obama is one of the best presidents in my lifetime! The statement you shared reinforced my deep faith in him. Thank you for sharing it.

O/T: Feedback sought:
Yesterday I had a long overdue ‘physical’, and after much prodding and poking and squeezing and tapping was declared to be in good health. How. e-ver. I got talked into being given a tetanus shot – because I hadn’t had one in decades and you’re ‘supposed’ to get one every 10 years. :roll: The thing is I’m not a believer in getting shots containing bits of ‘sickness’ when I’m in reasonably good health – the very reason I’ve never taken the flu shot they always tout heading into winter! Here’s the question – doctor also suggested I take a shingles immunization shot. Now,
I know no one who has ever had preventive inoculation for shingles. In fact, I know no one who has ever had shingles, and really am not at all inclined to go this route. So what do some of you think? I can’t do it for at least a month anyways since she has poisoned my system with this tetanus shot, but does anyone have any experience with taking/not taking a shot for shingles? Honestly, I’m all for leaving the body alone until it *needs* something, but maybe I need to start modifying this stance.

40 years worked as RN, saw many with shingles, including of face, did not think about much but taking care of them Then mother now since deceased, got them, second cousin, healthy, tough lady, got shingles couple years ago. Her words to me were, “if you can, get that shingles shot, not fun having them, get it”. I did, no ill effects. Remember seeing the pain caused and dangerous if on face.

My husband had shingles…..it was HORRIBLE! Another friend had them, lasted about three years. They even went inside his body. I had the shingles vaccination, and so did my husband after his case of them, because you CAN get them again. By all means get the shot. You do NOT want shingles. People have been blinded by them when they occurred in an eye. They are nasty. Did you have chicken pox when a child? If so, the virus is still in your body, and can burst out any time.

An ounce of prevention…Last year I was blood tested for immunization and I had none!!! Come to find out my parents never had me vaccinated as a child. So I received all the vaccines over a period of time even an MMR, go figure! I had no reaction except for hepatitis vaccine. Had I bothered to do this before I would definitely have opted to get vaccinated. BTW you were not poisoned but vaccinated preventively Just my opinion

I had the shingles vac two years ago when I went on Medicare. Typically, my thought process is much like yours: Leave the body alone until…….(I never have the flu shot.) Shingles though: I know so many people who had them in their 60’s, 70’s and even my mil had them in her 80’s. So, I decided to go ahead the have it.

VC, three months ago, my doctor so effectively explained the benefits of this vaccine, and I have a colleague who developed shingles, she was in agony for months. It only took me a week to decide to take it; it’s a one-time only injection, recommended for 50+ years old people who had chicken pox in their youth. Compared to the tetanus booster, the side effects of the shingles vaccine were nil. Noticeable peace of mind after it was over.

You know, MP, one of my worries about this is that everyone (including Desertf’s article) keep mentioning relevant age as 50+, BUT, I’M STILL 39….and holding! Or is it 49 by now? Wait, I’m getting confused. Let me get back to ya on that. :grin::grin:

Thank you ALL for your responses! Much appreciated. As I did have a mild case of chicken pox as a young child, you all do make me feel that I need to look into this further. Doctor did also mention an hepatitis shot, Layla. It just struck me as too much to want to pour all these things into a body that had managed to avoid all of them for years (except for running into migraines in last 5 years), and one whose major inconvenience is the inability to sleep through the night.

The hep shot just caused arm tenderness for about 2 days, that’s it. It is good that you have been spared any of the associated diseases but you might not be tomorrow…hence the benefit of vaccination. Much more difficult on the body to have/treat than to prevent

The arm tenderness, aching really, from the tetanus shot is not exactly encouraging, but I hear what you are saying. I am processing all that’s being said. Doctor did say that as a result of the current shot I cannot do the shingles one for at least a month though she didn’t give me a timeline for the hepatitis.

VC, first, so glad to hear your physical went well and you are in good health. Second, when I went recently for lab work and checkup at my dr.’s, his nurse asked me if I wanted the shingles shot. I said yes because my aunt has had more than one outbreak of shingles and I heard reports that she was in much pain and could not even get out of bed one time. The first time she did not know what was wrong and was vert scared. I had no reaction to the shot at all and only hope based on what I have heard about shingles that it works. I too did not get flu shits fo a few years but do now because we have clients in and out of the office everyday. Just my opinions.

VCP if you had Chickenpox as child. mite be a good idea. my 90+ YO mom had shingles, and it was awful. spread from her breast to her feet. and would reoccur time after time. My Father, also had shingles inside his body. can’t scratch that. I finally at 74, I gave in an got the shot, no problems, and hopefully well never have to go thru what my mom experienced. (cost was the factor in my putting it off)

Hi & TY, IP. I am taking all your stories into consideration. The overwhelming consensus seems to be that I should ‘suck it up’ and go take the shot when my one month decision-making time is over. ;) As usual, word of mouth provides a very powerful recommendation.

“These people have never accepted the legitimacy of Obama’s presidency – and they likely never will. I find that its helpful to keep that in mind.”

Smartypants is spot-on! This whole hoopla has nothing to do with Sgt. Bergdahl! he is just an expandable sacrificial pawn. This is all about contesting the legitimacy of President Obama. Actually, right wingers rarely, if ever, call him PRESIDENT Obama. Most call him “Berry,” or “Obummer” or simply Obama.

It dawned on me today—–and it’s been lying in wait in my brain for a long time——this person who I think would be a most excellent presidential candidate——-Chris Van Hollen. I’ve liked him every time I see him, he’s one of the few who puts himself out there, he’s right on all the issues, well-spoken, intelligent, well-qualified as to resume’, great background, appealing appearance, a calm measured tone about him. I think he would have mass appeal. Am I right or am I missing something? I just really like him, and I have never heard anyone say anything but that. Even mr. dotster, who is not inclined to comment on politicians, notices and says something positive about him at every appearance.

I’ve been out most of the day so SIAP (sorry if already posted!). But I wanted to be sure people knew that Sylvia Burwell was confirmed today for Secretary of HHS despite McConnell’s threats to make it a gruesome process.

Has he ever explained what would be her policies if she were President? Has anyone discussed this. Barack Obama ran on his policies – he did not run to be the first black President. If he had run on the latter – he would have been defeated. If people push Hillary as the first woman President – she will be defeated.

Am sharing a status from a ‘friend’ on FB. Just sharing the status but you can imagine the comments–all supporting her dad’s “awakening”, etc. She has a lot of posting from the past 2-3 days ……typical right-wing s—……all from conservative sites…….all the propaganda from Fox.

I spoke with my father this afternoon about the Bergdahl scandal. Please take note that this man is a hard core democrat who voted Obama into office…twice. I thought we would have our usual political debate and have a difference of opinion. Much to my delight my father said the following: “This is the first time I have been ashamed to say that I took part in voting that man into office. He has disgraced America and has now put a bigger price on the head of every service member we have currently serving and will have serving in the coming years”. PLEASE TREAD LIGHTLY if you are going to blast this thread with negativity. This is my father you will be talking about and I don’t take well to anyone speaking ill of him. I just thought I would share a very rare moment between a democratic father and his republican daughter.

Perfect answer Bob – someone attempting to lift trolling to a new level – every RWer in the US will use any lies to bring down this President – and I firmly believe they are paid to do it. John Oliver well explained the role of internet commenters.

I agree, Bob. My immediate thought was that this is excellent proof of how successful the media has been this week, how powerful the media is in influencing thoughts and behaviors. Sad and scary indeed!!!!!

With no legislative approval, McAuliffe has begun planning for Medicaid expansion
By Laura Vozzella, Published: June 4 E-mail the writer

RICHMOND — Gov. Terry McAuliffe is quietly planning the nuts and bolts of enrolling an additional 400,000 Virginians in Medicaid even as the House of Delegates seems as firmly opposed as ever to expanding the health-care program for the poor.

The administration is considering how it would handle the flood of applications that are expected to pour in if expansion comes to pass. Privately run call centers could be an option

The planning comes on top of research McAuliffe’s office has conducted into whether he has the power to expand Medicaid by executive order if he cannot get the GOP-dominated House to budge. And it comes to light as McAuliffe is claiming broad authority to keep most, if not all, of the state government running if the standoff prevents passage of a budget before July 1, the start of the fiscal year.

McAuliffe (D), who ran for office as a bipartisan dealmaker, continues to say publicly that he wants to find a legislative solution to the Medicaid standoff. But with the start of the new fiscal year less than a month away, the governor appears to be mulling over the extraordinary use of executive power, both to keep the lights on in state government and to muscle Medicaid expansion past the legislature.

If we don’t attempt to bring every soldier home, who will want to volunteer, there will be no one who wants to protect us, give us the freedom to express our opinions and thoughts. I would not volunteer if thought I would be abandoned by my country.

VC, I hope you are still there. I am catching up it seems like years now. One week and forget it. But I am enjoying every minute…….
Okay, after a high fever and flu-like systems this past winter, I had shingles. It was the most irritating painful feeling. I did go to my doctor and he prescribed the vaccine immediately. My pharmacist offered to give it it to me in the store because I had to wait for a order to come.

I feel the same way as you do about taking medications and as I rarely take aspirins. I had to come to a realization that as healthy as I claim to be, the body changes as we get older. My doctor told me it was a once in a lifetime injection.
Now, upon reading here I learned it can come back. I will be the first in line if it does. The pain and discomfort is not worth it.
After this long cold winter, I also will take the flu virus in my doctor’s office. That high fever was wicked and kept me weakened too long. Prevention is just as important as maintenance. Thanks to Obamacare a lot of people are in a position to do both.
I hope this personal testimony helped.

Thanks for sharing, LDS. Today’s responses have actually focused my mind on the subject more than my doctor’s words did. [She knows that I very rarely fill prescriptions because I hate medication, so she put me on a 24hr BP machine when she wanted to convince me that I needed BP medication.]

I truly appreciate all those who took the time to share their thoughts &/ experiences with me on this subject. It has helped a lot. Thanks!